Adjustable lavatory



Oct. 21, 1969 v. K. MAcluLAlTls ET Ax. 3,473,173

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ADJUSTABLE LAVATORY 8 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 23, 1968 nited StatesPatent O 3,473,173 ADJUSTABLE LAVATORY Vytantas K. Maciulaitis, Chicago,.lohn E. Svabek, Jr., Westchester, and Donald C. Schreck, Sr., LaGrange, lll., assignors to Crane Co., Chicago, Ill., a corporation ofillinois Filed Feb. 23, 1968, Ser. No. 707,635

Int. Cl. A47k 1/04 ILS. Cl. 4-176 24 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLUSUREVertically adjustable lavatory including base cabinet assemblysurmounted by upright cabinet assembly. Cabinet assemblies are raisedand lowered relative to base frame on bearing shafts by power unit inbase cabinet assembly. Expandable skirt maintains cabinet enclosure.Water supply and control provide instant hot water and remotetemperature and flow control.

Background- Summary-Prior art This invention relates to lavatories, andin particular, to lavatories which are adjustable in height.

Lavatories of xed height have conventionally been installed in bathroomsto ideally accommodate the person of medium stature. Only in recentyears have lavatories which are vertically adjustable to accommodatepersons of varying height become reasonably well known. Lavatories ofthis type are exemplified by the disclosures in U.S. patents issued toEriksson No. 2,716,757 and Haughey No. 3,011,177.

Presently known lavatories of the vertically adjustable type are notablylacking in acceptable features. Apparatus for raising and lowering thelavatory basin and related equipment is antiquated and ineicient, aswell as being bulky and cumbersome to install. Such lavatories do notprovide an adequate enclosure for sub-basin equipment in their variousraised and lowered positions. In addition, no vertically adjustablelavatory presently known permits the use of a tall, upright cabinet andmirror assembly surmounting the base cabinet assembly, which includesthe basin. A lavatory without such a convenience stands little chance ofcommercial success in this day.

Other areas where present day vertically adjustable lavatories arewanting include their water supply systems. Water supply control has notimproved much since the rst modern, vertically adjustable lavatoriesbecame available.

The invention is embodied in a greatly improved vertically adjustablelavatory. As such, an object of the invention is to provide a verticallyadjustable lavatory which includes an upright cabinet assembly with anassociated mirror unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vertically adjustablelavatory wherein improved power height adjustment means are employed ina novel and eective manner.

It is still another object to provide a vertically adjustable lavatoryincluding a new and improved expandable enclosure for the sub-basinequipment in the lavatory, wherein a protective and decorative structureis assured regardless of the adjusted height of the lavatory.

It is yet another object to provide improved water supply and controlsystems, including a facility for providing an instantaneous supply ofhot water to the user upon demand.

The foregoing and other objects are realized in accord with theinvention by providing a lavatory including a base cabinet assemblysurmounted by an upright cabinet assembly and mounted on verticallydisposed support ICC shafts for vertical sliding movement on bearingsleeves. The shafts are mounted on the base platform of the lavatoryframe and braced from the upright back panel of the frame.

In one aspect of the invention, a closed-circuit hydraulic power unitraises and lowers the cabinet assemblies on their mounting shafts. Thepower unit includes an axial tluid motor which interconnects the framebase and the base cabinet assembly. A unitary, motor-purnp-fluidreservoir provides fluid under pressure to actuate the axial iluid motorat the instance of the user. In another aspect of the invention, anelectrically actuated screw-jack type power unit provides the liftingforce.

Water control is through remote control valve assemblies which provide awide range of selected temperatures and ow rates for normal hand andhair ablutions. A remote controlled rim wash for the basin is alsoprovided. These functions are remotely controlled from a panel unitimmediately above the basin by the user.

Brief description of the drawings The invention, including itsconstruction and method of operation, along with other objects andadvantages thereof, is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in thedrawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the adjustable lavatory embodyingfeatures of the invention, in its raised position;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational View of the lavatory, in its loweredposition;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the lavatory, in its raisedposition, with parts broken away;

FIGURE 4 is a partial front elevational View of the base of thelavatory, in its lowered position;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged front elevational view, partially in section, ofthe base cabinet assembly and a portion of the upright cabinet assemblyin the lavatory;

FIGURE 6 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of thatportion of the lavatory shown in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a further enlarged front elevational view of the watercontrol system in the base cabinet assembly;

FIGURE 8 is a further enlarged side elevational view of the watercontrol system in the base cabinet assembly;

FIGURE 9 is a further enlarged side elevational view of one form of thepower adjustment unit for the lavatory;

FIGURE l0 is a greatly enlarged front elevational view of a portion ofthe cabinet assembly support and skirt structure;

FIGURE 11 is also a greatly enlarged front elevational View of thecabinet assembly skirt structure;

FIGURE 12 is a front elevational view of another form of the poweradjustment unit for the lavatory; and

FIGURE 13 shows a diagram of the electrical circuit for the power unitand controls for the lavatory.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES 1-4, alavatory embodying features of the present invention is illustratedgenerally at 10. The lavatory 10 includes a base cabinet assembly 12,upon which is mounted an upright cabinet assembly 13. The rigidlyconnected base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are supportedfrom the door 15 on a frame 16. The frame 16 includes a horizontal base18 resting on the oor 15 and an upright 19 rigidly connected to the base18.

The rigidly interconnected base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13are adapted to move vertically relative to the frame 16. According tothe invention, a skirt assembly or enclosure means 22 provides atelescoping enclosure and connection between the base cabinet assembly12 and the base 18, regardless of whether the cabinet assemblies 12 and13 are in a raised, intermediate, or

3 lowered position. In this light, FIGURES 1 and 2 illustrate thelavatory in its uppermost postion with the skirt assembly 22 forming anenclosure means, for items housed within, fully extended, while FIGURES2 and 4 illustrate the lavatory in its lowermost position, with theskirt assembly 22 collapsed.

Turning now to FIGURES 5-11, the base 18 comprises a generallyrectangular platform member 25. The platform member 25 is adapted torest flush on the oor 15 of a bathroom, for example. The upright 19includes a back panel member 27 extending upwardly from the platformmember 25. The back panel member 27 is generally rectangular inconfiguration, vertically elongated. It is fastened to the back of theplatform member 25 at the base of the panel member 27 by suitablefastening means (not shown).

The platform member 25 and the back panel member 27 are rigidly bracedin perpendicular relationship to each other by generally triangularshaped side panel members 28. As seen in FIGURE 5, the base of each sidepanel member 28 is seated in a recess 30 formed in the upper surface 31of the platform member 25 along a side edge thereof. The side panelmembers 28 are secured to the platform member 25 in their respectiverecesses 30 by suitable fastening means (not shown).

Referring to FIGURE 6, the rear edge 33 of each side panel member 28extends into Hush engagement with the back panel member 27 where eachside panel member is also secured to the back panel member by suitablefastening means (not shown). The side panel members 28 have front edges37 which are inclined rearwardly from adjacent the platform member 25 toa point 38 immediately above the base cabinet assembly 12 in the uprightcabinet assembly 13. Above this point 38, the side panel members 28 havea constant width to their upper ends 39 spaced slightly below the upperend of the back panel member 27.

Completing the frame. 16 is a narrow front panel member 42. The member42 extends between the side panel members 28 adjacent the front edge ofthe platform member 25 and is secured by suitable means (not shown) toboth.

Fastened to the outer surface of both the platform member 25 and thenarrow front wall member 42 is a facing element 45. The facing element45 has a shallow channel configuration so that its flanges 46 extendover the top of the member 42 and under the bottom of the platformmember 25, while its Web 46a is secured to the front surface of each ofthese members by suitable means (not shown).

Referring to FIGURES l0 and 1l, side facing elements 47 broadly similarto the front facing element 45 extend along each side of the platformmember 25, from the front to the back thereof. These side facingelements 47 are fastened to the side faces of both the platform member25 and the side panel members 28 by suitable means (not shown). Unlikethe front facing element 45, the side facing elements 47 do not have anupper flange.

The facing elements 45 and 47 actually form components of the skirtassembly 22 for the base cabinet assembly 12. When the base and cabinetassemblies 12 and 13 are in a raised position, as viewed in FIGURE 1,for example, these facing elements 45, 47 form the visible lower portionof the frame 16. The construction and operation of the skirt assembly 22will hereinafter be discussed.

The base cabinet assembly 12 and the upright cabinet assembly 13 aresupported from the frame 16 for vertical movement between a raisedposition and a lowered position, as has been pointed out. To this end, apair of horizontally elongated support feet are fastened to the uppersurface 31 of the platform member 25 in spaced relationship along eachside edge of the platform member 25, immediately inside correspondingside panel members 28. Each support foot 50 comprises a base plate 51having a cylindrical socket 52 welded to its uppermost surface adjacentits rear end. The base members 51 are secured to the platform member 25by suitable fastening means (not shown). The sockets 52 are positionedimmediately in front of the back panel member 27. A triangular web 53 iswelded to each base member 51 and corresponding socket 52 to providesupport for the sockets.

Seated in each socket 52 and extending upwardly therefrom in parallelrelationship with the back panel member 27 is a shaft 57. As seen inFIGURE 6, the shafts 57 terminate immediately above the base cabinetassembly 12 (in its lowered position) and are fastened to the back panelmember 27 by conventional bracket means 58. The bracket means 58encircle corresponding shafts 57 and are fastened to the upright backpanel member 27 by suitable fastening means (not shown).

Mounted for vertical sliding movement on the shafts 57 is a cantiliverarm assembly 65. The base cabinet assembly 12 is mounted on thecantilever arm assembly 65 for vertical movement relative to the frame16. The upright cabinet assembly 13 is also supported from thecantilever arm assembly 65 for simultaneous vertical movement relativeto the frame 16.

The cantiliver arm assembly 65 comprises a pair of horizontallydisposed, parallel cantilever arms 70. Each arm 70 has a verticallyextending leg 71 formed unitarily with it at its inner end. The freeends of corresponding arms 70 and legs 71 are interconnected byunitarily formed diagonal braces 72.

Each leg 71 has a pair of vertically displaced sleeve bearings 75 and76, of conventional construction, welded to it. The upper sleeve bearing75 is disposed adjacent the inner end of a corresponding arm 70 in eacharm assembly 65, while the lower sleeve bearing 76 is disposed adjacentthe juncture of a corresponding leg 71 and brace 72. The sleeve bearings75 and 76 slidably engage a corresponding shaft 57 in a well-knownmanner for vertical movement on the shaft.

The cantilever arm assembly `65 further includes a cross bar 80 whichextends between the legs 71 and is welded thereto in a conventionalmanner. A hydraulic power unit 81 mounted on the platform member 25 isoperatively connected to the bar 80 and, according to the invention, iseffective to raise and lower the cantilever arm assembly 65 and,accordingly, the base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13. Theconstruction and operation of the hydraulic power unit `81 willhereinafter be discussed in detail.

As has been pointed out, the base cabinet assembly 12 is mounted on thecantilever arm assembly 65. The cabinet assembly 12 includes a table andlavatory basin member 82 which is nested between the horizontallydisposed arms 70 of the arm assembly 65. The table and lavatory bowlmember 82 is preferably fabricated in one piece. It includes arelatively large, rectangular table top 84 having flange 85 dependingtherefrom. Inside the flange 85 are two elongated pads 85a which rest onand are secured to the arms 70 of the cantilevered arm assembly 65 bysuitable means (not shown). Depending from the table top 84 between thearms 70 is the lavatory basin 86 itself.

The basin 86 is, of course, adapted to receive, and retain, water at theinstance of the user. The lavatory 10` has various means for providingcontrolling, and dispensing this water. Water dispersing and controlwill hereinafter be discussed in detail.

Depending from the periphery of the table top 84 in slightly spacedrelationship from the flange 85 is an outer lip 90. The lip 90 actuallydepends only from the sides and front of the table top 84 so as todefine an upwardly extending slot 91 around these three sides. Referringagain to FIGURES 1-4, as well as FIGURES 5 and 6, the identical sidewalls 93 and the front wall 94 of the base cabinet assembly 12 extendupwardly into and are seated in corresponding segments of the slot 91.

The side walls 93 are generally rectangular in configuration. Their rearedges extend into adjacent relationship with the back panel member 27.At their forwardmost edges they support between them the front wall 94and a fioor segment 95. The front wall 94 comprises an elongated upperwall panel 98 rigidly secured to the side walls 93, and a pair of doorpanels 99 pivotally connected to the corresponding side walls 93 andadapted to be pulled open outwardly with the handles 100. Opening thedoors 100 provides access to a space beneath the basin 86 on the yfloorsegment 95 for storage or the like.

To retain the side walls 93 and, accordingly, the front wall 94 andfloor segment 95 snugly seated against the periphery of the table top84, the side walls 93 are also rigidly secured to the cantilever armassembly 65. As seen in FIGURE 5, support brackets 101 extendinglaterally from the arms 70 of the cantilever arm assembly 65 are securedto the side walls 93.

To provide lateral support for each side wall 93, as seen in FIGURE 5,and 11, a pin 102 is rigidly seated in each side wall 93 on a mountingscrew and extends inwardly therefrom through a vertical slot 103 in thecorresponding side panel member 28 of the frame 16. Each pin 102 has athreaded inner end secured to the lower end of a corresponding leg 71 inthe cantilever arm assembly 65 by conventional nuts 104.

It will now be seen that when the hydraulic power unit 81 raises andlowers the cantilever arm assembly 65, it moves the entire base cabinetassembly 12, including the table and lavatory basin member 82, sidewalls 93, front wall 94 and oor segment 95 upwardly or downwardly.

As the base cabinet assembly 12 is raised and lowered, a functional anddecorative enclosure is maintained by the skirt assembly 22, as has beenpointed out. The skirt assembly 22 includes the facing elements 45, 47,extending around the platform 25 to form a lower skirt element, andthree additional skirt elements 105, 106 and 107.

The skirt elements 45, `47, 105, 106 and 107 are all fabricated of sheetmetal but may be made of other compositions. The skirt element formed bythe facing elements 45 and 47 is fastened to the periphery of the frameplatform member 25 in the manner hereinbefore discussed, intermediateskirt elements 105 and 106 are slidably fastened to the side panelmembers 28 of the frame 16, and the upper skirt element 107 is fastenedto the lower periphery of the cabinet side walls 93 and the bottom ofthe oor segment 95.

The upper skirt element 107 is channel-shaped in cross-section anddefines three sides of a rectangle. Its upper ange 107a underlies and isfastened to the lower periphery of the cabinet side walls 93 and thebottom of the oor segment 95 by any conventional fastening means. Itslower flange 107b underlies the outwardly extending upper fiange 106a ofthe intermediate skirt element 106.

The intermediate skirt element 106 also denes three sides of a rectangleand is mounted for sliding movement on a pair of guide rods 108 afxed tocorresponding side frame panel members 28 in vertical recesses 108aadjacent corresponding rear edges of the panel members by L- brackets10811 and suitable fastening bolts. The rods 108 carry sliding brackets108C which extend outwardly and are fastened to the upper flange 106a ofthe intermediate skirt element 106 by welding.

The inwardly extending lower flange 106b of the skirt element 106, inturn, underlies the outwardly extending upper ange 105a of theintermediate skirt element 105. The skirt element 105 is identical inshape to the skirt element 106, but is slightly smaller in width anddepth so as to facilitate telescoping within the skirt element 106, asthe skirt element 106 does with the upper skirt element 107.

The skirt element 105 is mounted for sliding movement on the guide rods108 in a manner identical to the mounting of the skirt 106. Each rod 108carries another sliding bracket 108d which extends outwardly and isfastened to the upper flange a of the skirt element 105 by welding.

The skirt element 105 also has an inwardly extending lower flange 105b.When the base cabinet assembly 12 is in its lowered position, as bestseen in FIGURES 5 and 6, this lower flange 105b of the skirt element 105rests on the floor 15.

As the base cabinet assembly 12 is moved upwardly by the hydraulic powerunit 81, the flange 107b on the upper skirt element 107, upon reachingthe upper ange 106a on the skirt element 106, lifts this entireintermediate skirt element with it. The skirt element 106 is guided inits upward travel by the guide rods 108 and the guide brackets 108C.When the skirt element 106 reaches a point in its upward travel wherethe lowermost flange 106b engages the upper ange 105a on theintermediate skirt element 105, the skirt element 105 is also lifted.The guide rods 108 and guide brackets 108b guide the skirt element 105in its upward travel. The full travel of the cabinet assembly 12upwardly is approximately 10 inches. This places the lower flange 105bof the skirt element 105 immediately below the upper edge of the skirtelement formed by the facing elements 45, 47 on the platform 25.

Also fixed to the cantilever arm assembly 65 for vertical movementtherewith is the upright cabinet assembly 13, as has previously beenpointed out. The upright cabinet assembly includes a horizontallyelongated control panel unit 110 surmounted by a large, generallyrectangular cabinet and mirror unit 111. Both the control panel unit 110and the cabinet and mirror unit 111 are supported from the cantileverarm assembly 65 by a vertically arranged sub-frame 113 mounted on thecantilever arm assembly 65.

The sub-frame 113 includes an angle member 115 mounted between the arms70 of the cantilever arm assembly 65 adjacent their rear ends andfastened thereto in a suitable manner (not shown). Bolted to thevertical ange of the angle member 115 at a short distance inwardly ofeach opposite end of the angle member is a rigid, vertically extendingsupport bar 117. Each support bar 117 extends upwardly through thecontrol panel unit 110 to a point immediately above the unit 110.

The control panel unit 110 comprises a box-like structure havinggenerally square end walls 120 and connecting stringers (not shown)which support a front panel 121. It is from the panel 121 that the usermanipulates controls for various functions of the lavatory 10. The useof the control panel 121 in operation of the lavatory 10 willhereinafter be discussed in detail.

Suitable means (not shown) are provided within the control panel unit110 for securing it to the vertically extending support bars 117. Inaddition, the entire unit 110 rests on the rear upper edges of the sidewalls 93 in the base cabinet assembly 12. As such, the unit 110 isrigidly secured to and movable with the base cabinet assembly.

Further in the sub-frame 113, bolted between the upper ends of thevertical support bars 117 immediately above the control panel unit 110is another angle member 124. An upright rectangular bracket is welded tothe angle member 124 and extends upwardly through the cabinet and mirrorunit 111. The bracket 125 includes side posts 126 which are slidable insleeve assemblies 130 aixed to the back panel member 27 by suitablemeans (not shown).

The cabinet and mirror unit 111 actually comprises a central mirrorsection bracketed by identical medicine cabinet sections 136. The unit111 is mounted on the bracket 125 by suitable attachment means (notshown) in the conventional framework of the sections 135, 136 so thatthe unit moves vertically with the panel unit 110 and the base cabinetassembly 12.

The central mirror section 135 mounts a large mirror 140 while thecabinet sections 136 mount smaller side mirrors 141. The mirrors 141 arepivotally mounted in a conventional manner on the cabinet sections 136so that they can swing inwardly to face each other. A concave shavingmirror 141a may `be mounted in one of the mirrors 141 if so desired. Aspacer member 142 is inserted between the units 110 and 111 to close thespace between them.

Turning now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 9, the hydraulic actuator unit 81 isemployed according to the invention to raise and lower the base andupright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13, as has been pointed out. The unit81 comprises a conventional axial hydraulic motor 160 mounted in uprightrelationship on a base 161 secured to the platform member 25 immediatelybelow the cross brace member 80 of the cantilever arm assembly 65. Theuid motor is retained between the base 161 and a cap 162 with tie rods163.

The uid motor 160 is conventional in comprisin-g a cylinder 166 in whicha piston assembly (not shown) is mounted for reciprocating movement. Thepiston assembly terminates in a piston rod extension 168 protruding fromthe upper end of the closed cylinder 166. The extension 168 is threadedand secured to an L-bracket 169 mounted on the cross member 80 by a nut170.

The uid motor 160 is energized to raise and lower the cantilever armassembly 65 and, accordingly, the entire base and upright cabinetassembly 12 and 13, by means of a conventional rotary hydraulic pump175. The pump 175 is mounted on the lower end of a hydraulic uidreservoir tank 176 in sealed relationship therewith. A conventional 115volt, alternating current, reversible motor 177 is mounted on the bottomof the pump 175 and drives the pump in a well known manner.

The pump 175, reservoir 176 and reversible motor 177 unit is mounted ona vertical plate 180 secured between the base 161 and cap 162 on the uidmotor 160. Suitable brackets 181 connect the reservoir 176 to thebracket 180.

The power unit 81 is operated by the lavatory user to raise or lower thecabinet assemblies 12 or 13 by merely actuating a toggle switch 185 onthe right front of the base cabinet assembly 12, either up or down. Theswitch 185 is effective, through the control circuit C (FIGURE 13), tosupply power to the motor 177 for driving it in one direction oranother, thus directing uid under pressure to one end or the other ofthe motor 160 and raising or lowering the cantilever arm assembly 65.The circuit C, which is broadly conventional, will hereinafter bediscussed in some detail.

The pump 175 is operatively connected to the motor 160, for operation ofthe motor when the toggle switch 185 is moved up or down from a neutralposition, by a hydraulic uid conduit complex 190 containing aconventional blocking valve 191. The pump 175 forces hydraulic tluidunder pressure through either the conduit 195 or the conduit 196,depending upon the direction of the operation of the pump 175, to theblocking valve 191. Depending upon which of the conduits 196 or 195delivers fluid to the blocking valve 191, the valve 191 shunts the Huidto either the conduit 198 leading to the rod end of the cylinder 166, orthe conduit 199 leading to the base end of the cylinder 166.

If the switch 185 is moved up, fluid under pressure is directed throughthe conduit 199 to the base end of the cylinder 166 and the pistonassembly is driven upwardly, forcing the ntilever arm assembly 65upwardly with the base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13. Fluidis exhausted from the cylinder 166 through the conduit 198 and theblocking valve 191 to the conduit 196, whereby it is returned to thereservoir 176.

If the switch 185 is moved down, a ow of uid under pressure is directedfrom the pump 175 through the conduit 198 to the rod end of the cylinder166 in precisely the opposite ow path. The piston assembly is caused toretract, drawing the cantilever arm assembly 65 downwardly, with thebase and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13.

When the toggle switch 185 is centered, operation of the pump 175 stopsand the blocking valve assembly 191, through its conventionalarrangement of check valves (not shown), locks the fluid motor 160. Thebase and cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are fixed at whatever height isselected by the user.

Referring specifically to FIGURES 5 and 6, the limits of verticalmovement of the cantilever arm assembly 65 and, accordingly, the baseand upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13, as driven by the power Iunit81, are defined by an upper limit switch 205 and a lower limit switch206 secured in a conventional manner to the back panel member 27 of theframe 16 in vertically displaced relationship. The limit switches 205and 206 are suitably arranged in the circuit C to open the power circuitto the motor 175 upon being engaged by corresponding operator fingers208 and 209 mounted on the cross brace member of the cantilever armassembly 65. The fingers 208 and 209 are of an identical, leaf-springconstruction (see FIGURE 6) and extend upwardly and downwardly,respectively, from the cross brace member 80.

Turning now to the water supply system of the lavatory 10, it includes afaucet assembly 215 which has swingable spout and a hair spray assembly216, mounted on the table top 84 behind the basin 86 in a conventionalmanner. A fitting 218 extends downwardly from the faucet assembly 215through the table top 84 to where it terminates in a connection 219 witha exible water supply hose 220. The hair spray assembly 216 is connectedby a liexible tube 222 to the base of the -itting 218 so that it too canreceive water from the supply hose 220.

Referring particularly to FIGURES 5-8, the supply hose 220 is joined toa control valve arrangement 225 by a conventional elbow fitting 226. Thecontrol valve arrangement 225 is, in turn, connected to the cold waterservice pipe in a residence, for example, through the tting 227 andsupply pipe sections 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, with appropriateelbow and T-joints. The pipe section 233 extends through the back panelmember 27 of the frame 16 to connection with the service line.

Also connected to the cold Water service pipe at the pipe section 233 isa basin rim wash nozzle 234. A ilexible tube 235 connects the nozzle 234to a conventional vacuum release Valve in an upstanding pipe assembly237. The pipe assembly 237 is, in-turn, connected by pipe sections 238containing a solenoid 239 operated control valve 23911 to theaforementioned service line connection through the pipe section 233.

The valve 239a is a standard S-25 valve manufactured by the Dole ValveCompany of Morton Grove, Ill. The Dole S-25 series valves are singlesolenoid shut-off valves having one of several selected flow rates. Thevalve solenoid 239 is operated from the control panel unit through thecircuit C in a manner hereinafter discussed.

The valve arrangement 225 is also connected to the normal hot waterservice line in the residence through an instant hot water system 240.According to the invention, the instant hot water system supplies hotwater immediately upon being called for without the lapse normallyexpected in conventional systems.

The instant hot water system 240 comprises a cylindrical tank 242mounted on its side on suitable supports 243 secured to the platformmember 25 of the frame 16. The tank 242 has a conventional heatingelement and thermostat mounted in its confines. The heating element.which is schematically illustrated at H in FIGURE 13, maintains thetemperature in the normally full tank 242 at F., as regulated by thethermostat.

The tank 242 is connected from its back wall to the normal hot waterservice line in a residence, for example, through the pipe sections 245,246, and 247, and suitable elbow and T-fittings. The stepped pipesection 250 and the fitting 251 connect the valve arrangement 255 to thetank 242.

The valve arrangement 225 comprises a temperature control valve 255 andtwo flow rate control valves 256. Each of the valves 255 and 256 issolenoid operated from the control panel unit 110 through the circuit C,in a manner hereinafter discussed.

The temperature control valve 255 is a standard M-26 style valvemanufactured by the Dole Valve Company. As such, it is a three solenoid261, 262, 263 thermostatic valve incorporating a hot inlet at theiitting 251, a cold inlet at the fitting 227, and a single outlet at theT-joint 265. Five water temperatures are furnished by energizing acombination of the solenoids 261-263 from the control panel unit 110through the circuit C, in a manner hereinafter discussed.

The rate of water flow to the faucet assembly 215 through the supplyhose 220 is controlled by the two llow control valves 256. Each valve256 is a standard S-25 valve manufactured by the Dole Valve Company.They are mounted in parallel in a loop 271 fabricated of pipe sectionsand connected on one side of the loop to the T-joint 265 extending fromthe valve 255 and on the other side to the elbow tting 226 on the supplyhose 220.

The solenoids 270 are energized from the panel unit 110 through thecircuit C to open one or the other or both of the valves 256. One valve256 provides a low llow rate, the other a moderate ow rate, and bothtogether a high llow rate. Control through the circuit C from the panelunit 110 will hereinafter be discussed in greater detail.

Turning now to the control panel unit 110 itself, and referring toFIGURES 4-6, the unit includes a rearwardly inclined face panel 275.Suitably mounted on the face panel 275 are various control and servicefeatures of the lavatory 10'.

Immediately behind the hair spray assembly 216 is a horizontal row 280of push button switches which control the solenoids 261-263 and,accordingly, the temperature control valve 255. Below the row 280 ofswitches is another row of push button switches which control thesolenoids 270 and, accordingly, the ilow control valves 256.

Referring to the circuit C in FIGURE 13, the upper row 280 of pushbutton switches includes an oil button switch 280x for the entiretemperature and ow control function. Five other switches '280a, 28019,280e, 280d and 280e provide water temperature adjustment in rangesdelined as hot, medium hot, warm, medium cold, and cold, respectively,through control of the solenoids 261- 263.

The lower row 281 of push button switches includes three switches 281:1,2811), and 281C, which provide llow adjustment in low, medium and highilow rates through control of the solenoids 270. As will be recognized,another push button switch 281x is also provided in the row 281. Theswitch 281x controls the rim wash solenoid 239.

Also mounted on the face panel 275 (see FIGURES 4 and 5) are a pair ofconventional electrical outlets 290 and 291. These outlets 290 and 291are integrated into the circuit C in the manner seen in FIGURE 13. Inaddition, an electric clock radio 294 is suitably mounted on the facepanel 275 and also integrated into the circuit C.

The panel 275 also carries a pair of light switches 296 and 297. Thelight switch '296 controls an overhead fluorescent light 298 mounted ontop of the upright panel assembly 13 and extending across its width. Theswitch 297, on the other hand, controls a fluorescent panel light 299mounted immediately above the rearwardly inclined panel face 275 andextending across its width. The switches 296, 297 and lights 298, 299are integrated into the circuit C in the manner shown in FIGURE 13.

Referring particularly to FIGURE 13, the circuit C actually comprisesthree sub-circuits C1, C2, and C3. Each of these sub-circuits Cl-Csreceives power from a common power source P through a suitable bussarrangement 300. The sub-circuit C1, which is the llow and temperaturecontrol circuit, transforms volt, alternating current at a transformer301 to 24-Volt, alternating current for operation of the sub-circuit. Atransformer 302 performs the same function for the sub-circuit C2 whichcontrols the motor M (177) and, accordingly, the raising and lowering ofthe base and upright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13. The sub-circuit C3employs 115-volt, alternating current to operate the motor M (177), theheater H, and the lights 298 and 299, as well as provide power to theclock radio 294 and the outlets 290 and 291. Circuit breakers 305 areemployed in a conventional manner in each of these sub-circuits.

To operate the lavatory 10 according to the invention, the base andupright cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are lirst adjusted to a selectedheight by manipulating the toggle switch upwardly or downwardly. If theswitch is toggled upwardly, a conventional two-way solenoid 306 in thesub-circuit C2 causes the motor M to begin operating in a forwarddirection. Fluid under pressure is pumped through the blocking valve 191and the conduit 199 to the base of the fluid motor 190, forcing thecantilever arm assembly 65 and, accordingly, the base and cabinetassemblies 12 and 13, upwardly. At a selected height, the toggle switchis neutralized, neutralizing the solenoid 306 and stopping the motor M.The upright and base cabinet assemblies 12 and 13 are retained in theselected position by a lluid lock at the blocking valve 191.

To initiate water ow, a selected water temperature switch button ispressed. The button switches 280a-280e and 280x are interconnectedmechanically in a conventional manner so that pressing one of thetemperature control switches automatically closes the master switch280x. Also, of course, pressing the switch 280x automatically opens anyclosed temperature control switch (only one can be closed at a time).The valve 255 is manipulated by one or more of the solenoids 261-263 toselect a desired mixing of cold and hot water (unless either cold or hotis selected).

Next a desired ow rate is selected and the appropriate button switch'281a-281c is pressed to operate one or more of the solenoids 270.Normally water at a selected temperature and llow rate is emittedthrough the nozzle 310 of the faucet assembly 215. As will be noted, thenozzle 310 is provided with a water fountain diverter button 311 andorifice 312. Pressing the button 311 diverts water upwardly and out theoriice 312 to form a drinking fountain, if desired.

The lavatory 10 embodying features of the invention also incorporates ahair spray unit 216, as has been pointed out. Water flow may be directedout of the hair spray head 315 by pressing a suitably arranged buttoncontrol (not shown) on the head 315. Water then ilows from the -tting218 of the faucet assembly 215 through the flexible hose 222 to the head315.

The basin 86 into which water from the faucet arrangement 215 or hair-wash arrangement 216 is directed can also be rinsed out automaticallyaccording to the invention by manipulation of the rim wash button 281xon the panel face 275. Pressing the button switch 281x causes thesolenoid 239 in the sub-circuit C1 of the circuit C to open the valve239a. A jet of cold water is ejected from the rim wash nozzle 234 aroundthe rim of the bowl, thus rinsing out soap suds, etc.

Waste water is removed from the bowl through a conventional drainfitting 335, a llexible hose coupling 336, a drain trap 337, and afitting 338, to a suitable waste line (not shown). A conventional drainplug assembly 340 is manipulated in a well known manner from the table84 with a stopper control rod 341.

After use, the lavatory 10 can again be adjusted to any height desired,of course, within its aforedescribed limits. As the lavatory 10 moves upor down, the flexible hoses and tubes 220, 222, 235, and 336,Iaccommodate this movement in a well known manner.

Turning now to a modification of the lavoratory 10, it

has .been described as being raised and lowered by a selfcontainedhydraulic power unit 81. However, it is conceivable that an alternatesystem might be employed within the purview of the invention. In thislight, attention is directed to FIGURE 12 where an alternate power unit381 is illustrated.

FIGURE l2 actually illustrates a portion of the base cabinet assembly12, partially in section. In this modification of the invention, thecantilever arm assembly 65 and, accordingly, the cabinet assemblies 12and 13, are raised and lowered relative to the platform 25 and theshafts 57 by a mechanical power unit 381.

The power unit 381 comprises a conventional electric motor 381a and aconventional worm gear screw-jack 381b of the Simplex type manufacturedby the Templeton, Kenly Company of Broadview, Ill. The jack includes acylindrical jack body 382 mounted in a base plate 383 on the baseplatform 25. The cylindrical body 382 mounts a conventional worm gearhousing 384. The screw-jack 381b is actuated from the control panel unit110 by energizing the reversible AC electric motor 38111 which, throughits output shaft 391 extending into the housing 384, selectively drivesthe jack shaft 393 up or down. The shaft 393 is suitably connected tothe cross brace 80 of the cantilever arm assembly 65.

While the several embodiments described herein are at present consideredto be preferred, it is understood that various modifications vandimprovements may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in theappended claims all such modifications and improvements as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is desired to be claimed and secured by Letter Patent of the UnitedStates is:

We claim:

1. A vertically adjustable lavoratory, comprising:

(a) base means;

(b) cabinet means mounted on said base means;

(c) said cabinet means including a :base cabinet assembly having a basintherein and an upright cabinet assembly having mirror means therein;

(d) said base means including back panel means extending upwardly behindsaid base cabinet assembly and said upright cabinet assembly;

(e) means supporting said cabinet means for vertical movement relativeto said base means;

(f) said support means extending upwardly into said upright cabinetassembly;

(g) enclosure means between said base cabinet assembly and said basemeans; said base means including a platform means and power meansmounted on said platform means for raising and lowering said supportassembly.

2. The vertically adjustable lavoratory of claim 1 further characterizedin that:

(a) said enclosure means comprises an expa-ndable skirt connecting saidbase cabinet assembly with said base means.

3. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 1 further characterizedin that:

(.b) said support means being mounted on said platform means and bracedfrom said back panel means.

4. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 3 further characterizedin that:

(a) said support means is secured to said back panel means above saidbase cabinet assembly in said upright cabinet assembly.

5. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 3,

further characterized in that:

(a) said support means comprises vertical shaft means mounted on saidplatform means;

(b) a support assembly slidably mounted on said shaft means for verticalmovement relative thereto;

(c) said cabinet means being mounted on said support lassembly forvertical travel therewith.

6. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 5 further characterizedby and wherein:

(a) said power means includes a closed circuit axial uid motor, fluidpump and fluid reservoir, and motor means for driving said uid pump tosupply fluid to said axial motor.

7. The vertically adjustable lavatory of cla-im 6 further characterizedin that:

(a) said vertical shaft means comprises a transversely spaced pair ofshafts;

(b) said support assembly comprising a cantilever arm extending fromeach shaft and connected by cross brace means;

(c) said axial uid motor being connected to said cross brace means.

8. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim .5

further characterized in that:

(a) `said support means comprises a sub-frame mounted on said supportassembly and extending upwardly into said upright cabinet assembly;

(b) said upright cabinet assembly being secured to said sub-frame.

9. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim further characterized inthat:

(a) said sub-frame includes guide post means;

(b) means connecting said guide post means to said back panel member invertically slidable relationship;

(c) whereby said upright cabinet assembly is fixed for movement only ina vertical direction relative to said base means.

10. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 9 further characterizedin that:

(a) said upright cabinet assembly includes a control panel unitsurmounted by a mirror and cabinet unit:

(b) said mirror and cabinet unit being secured to said sub-frame;

(c) said control panel unit being mounted on vertically extendingsupport posts connecting said support assembly with said sub-frame.

11. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 9 further characterizedin that:

(a) said sub-frame is rectangular in configuration;

(.b) said guide post means comprising a pair of guide posts comprisingside elements in said sub-frame.

12. A vertically adjustable lavatory, comprising:

(a) base means;

(b) cabinet means mounted on said base means for vertical movementrelative thereto;

(c) said cabinet means including a base cabinet assembly having a basintherein;

(d) said base means including platform means and back panel meansextending upwardly therefrom behind said cabinet means;

(e) enclosure means 4between said base cabinet assembly and said basemeans and power means mounted on said base means for raising andlowering said base cabinet assembly.

13. The vertically adjustably lavatory of claim 12 further characterizedby and wherein:

(a) said enclosure means comprises expandable skirt -means including aplurality of nested skirt elements adapted to expand in telescopingrelationship when said assembly is raised and contract in telescopingrelationship when said assembly is lowered so as to enclose said powermeans at all times.

14. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 13 further characterizedin that:

(a) said base means comprises a platform;

(b) said cabinet assembly includes enclosure wall means;

(c) the outermost of said telescoping skirt elements being fixed to saidwall means and the innermost of said skirt elements being xed to saidplatform.

15. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 14 vertically extending5 further characterized by and including:

(a) guide means mounted on said base means in vertically extendingrelationship;

(b) said skirt means including at least one intermediate skirt elementslidably mounted on said guide means.

16. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 1S further characterizedin that:

(a) said outer skirt element has a horizontally disposed, inwardlyextending flange formed around its lower periphery;

(b) said outer skirt element adapted to raise said intermediate skirtelement when said wall means is raised by engagement of said lower iangewith a horizontally disposed, outwardly extending ange formed around theupper periphery of said intermediate skirt element.

17. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 13 further characterizedin that:

(a) said power means comprises hydraulic power means mounted on saidplatform means;

(b) said hydraulic power means including a closedcircuit axial iiuidmotor, fluid pump, and fluid reservoir, and motor means for driving saidfluid pump to supply iiuid to said axial motor for raising and loweringsaid cabinet means.

18. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 17 further characterizedby and including:

(a) means on said base means supporting said cabinet means for verticalmovement relative to said base means;

(b) said support means comprising vertical shaft means;

(c) a support assembly slidably mounted on said shaft means for verticalmovement relative thereto;

(d) said cabinet means being mounted on said support assembly;

(e) said axial fluid motor being connected to said support assembly.

19. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 18 further characterizedin that:

(a) said motor means in an electric motor controlled through circuitmeans;

(b) upper and lower limit switch means mounted on one of said back panelmember and said support assembly for breaking said circuit means to stopsaid motor means when said cabinet means has been raised or lowered to apredetermined extent;

(c) and means on one of said back panel member and said support assemblyfor engaging said limit switch means to break said circuit.

20. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 19 further characterizedin that:

(a) said support assembly carries an upper limit switch contact arm anda lower limit contact arm;

(b) said Contact arm adapted to engage and actuate said limit switcheson said back panel member when said cabinet means has been raised orlowered to a predetermined extent.

21. A vertically adjustable lavatory, comprising:

(a) base means;

(b) cabinet means mounted on said base means for vertical movementrelative thereto;

(c) said cabinet means including a base cabinet means having a basintherein;

(d) said base means including platform means and back panel meansextending upwardly therefrom behind said cabinet means;

(e) skirt means between said base cabinet assembly and said base means;

(f) water dispensing means mounted on said cabinet means adjacent saidbasin;

(g) water supply means connected to said base means;

(h) conduit means containing control valve means connecting said watersupply means to said water dispensing means; power means mounted on saidplatform means for raising and lowering said base cabinet assembly.

22. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 21 further characterizedin that:

(a) said water supply means includes a hot water tank v having aself-contained electrical heating unit and thermostat;

(b) said valve means including a plurality of solenoid valves;

(c) circuit means connecting said valve solenoids with remote controlmeans;

(d) said remote control means being mounted on said cabinet means forcontrolling said circuit to energize and de-energize said solenoids tocontrol water temperature and flow rate from said water dispensingmeans.

23. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 22 further characterizedin that:

(a) said conduit means includes three solenoid valves;

(b) two of said solenoid valves being arranged in parallel with eachother and in series with a third of said solenoid valves;

(c) said third valve having inlet means from both said hot water tankand cold water supply means and adapted to mix hot and cold wateraccording to a predetermined valve setting to obtain a selected watertemperature and dispensed said selected temperature said solenoidValves;

(d) said two valves controlling flow rate of said selected temperaturewater to said dispensing means according to predetermined settings ofsaid two valve means.

24. The vertically adjustable lavatory of claim 23 further characterizedn that:

(a) said water dispensing means includes basin rim wash means;

(b) said rim wash means being connected to water supply means by conduitmeans including a solenoid valve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,446,509 2/ 1923 Koprowicz 4-1671,595,791 8/1926 Lantieri 4-167 2,009,225 7/1935 Farrar 4-166 2,065,95212/1936 Trautmann 4-170 2,716,757 9/1955 Eriksson 4-170 XR 2,810,91710/1957 Rhoades 4-170 2,817,094 12/1957 Lessley 4-170 2,958,871 11/1960Eskenazi 4-170 3,118,147 1/1964 Larkin 4-170 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, PrimaryExaminer HENRY K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner

